Reviews, Two Hands

2001 Two Hands Shiraz Ares 90-93
2001 Two Hands Shiraz Lily's Garden 93
2001 Two Hands Shiraz Bella's Garden 90-93
2001 Two Hands Shiraz Sophie's Garden 91
2001 Two Hands Shiraz Bad Impersonator 90
2001 Two Hands Cabernet / Shiraz The Bull And The Bear 89
2000 Two Hands Shiraz Angels Share 90
2001 Two Hands Shiraz / Grenache Brave Faces 89
2000 Two Hands Shiraz Barossa Valley 92
2000 Two Hands Shiraz Padthaway 91
2000 Two Hands Shiraz McLaren Vale 90
2002 Two Hands Riesling The Wolf 88

2001 Two Hands Shiraz 'Ares' Barossa Valley - (90-93) points
The 2001 Shiraz Ares (200 cases) was aged in 100% French oak. Its opaque purple color is accompanied by an elegant perfume of vanilla, licorice, black fruits, flowers, and herbs. With great purity, excellent definition, and a long, medium to full-bodied, intense finish, it should drink well for 10-12 years

2001 Two Hands Shiraz 'Lily's Garden' McLaren Vale - 93 points
A wine of great intensity as well as full-bodied unctuosity, the 2001 Shiraz Lily's Garden (1,500 cases) reveals sweet, jammy blackberry and cherry fruit infused with notions of new saddle leather, meat, chocolate, and dried herbs. Enormous in the mouth, but incredibly well-balanced, it was aged for 11 months in 100% new American oak.

2001 Two Hands Shiraz 'Bella's Garden' Barossa Valley - (90-93) points
The 2001 Bella's Garden Shiraz (500 cases) was aged in American oak, of which 50% was new. It offers up luscious aromas of blackberry and cherry fruit, chocolate, mint, and eucalyptus characteristics. Dense, full-bodied, and rich, this heavyweight Shiraz possesses outstanding purity and depth. It should drink well for 10-12 years.

2001 Two Hands Shiraz 'Sophie's Garden' Padthaway - 91 points
The elegant 2001 Shiraz Sophie's Garden (250 cases) was aged in American oak, of which 50% was new. Coming from Padthaway, it appears tighter, more structured, and more European-styled than its siblings. Abundant quantities of black currant and blackberry fruit, licorice, spice, and a hint of mint are followed by a tightly-knit, full-bodied, pure, long Shiraz. It should drink well for 10-12 years.

2001 Two Hands Shiraz 'Bad Impersonator' Barossa - 90 points
Aged completely in French oak, the 100% Shiraz cuvee, 2001 Bad Impersonator, offers up scents of blackberry liqueur, barbecue spice, leather, and a long, rich, concentrated finish with surprising elegance as well as finesse. Well-integrated wood, tannin, and acidity suggest this 2001 should drink well for 7-10 years.

2001 Two Hands Cabernet / Shiraz 'The Bull And The Bear' - 89 points
The 2001 Cabernet/Shiraz The Bull and the Bear is a blend of 60% McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon (aged in French oak) and 40% Barossa Shiraz (aged in American oak). While it looks to have outstanding potential, it was somewhat disjointed the day I tasted it. The color is a saturated purple, and the bouquet reveals notes of oak, cedar, creme de cassis, and licorice. This effort revealed a dense, full-bodied style with plenty of new oak. However, given the quality of Two Hands' other cuvees, it should turn out to be impressive.

2001 Two Hands Shiraz 'Angel's Share' McLaren Vale - 90 points
The 2001 Shiraz Angels Share (2,150 cases) is a fine value. A dense purple color is followed by sweet blackberry and cherry fruit infused with saddle leather, earth, and camphor characteristics. With great fruit, sweet tannin, and outstanding depth, it should be consumed over the next 5-6 years.

2001 Two Hands Shiraz / Grenache 'Brave Faces' - 89 points
The 2001 Brave Faces (a blend of 70% Shiraz and 30% Grenache) reveals a saturated ruby/purple color along with attractive aromas of blackberry jam, licorice, leather, and meat. Ripe and soft, it is ideal for drinking over the next 3-4 years.

2000 Two Hands Barossa Vallley Shiraz - 92 points
The 2000 Shiraz Barossa boasts an opaque purple color in addition to great fruit intensity, an unctuous texture, and huge, peppery, spicy, long flavors redolent with notions of roasted meats, saddle leather, and blackberry jam. Pure and seamless, with a 30-second finish, it should drink well for 10-12 years

2000 Two Hands Padthaway Shiraz -91 points
The 2000 Shiraz Padthaway reveals an opaque purple color as well as a full-bodied attack and mid-palate, tremendous depth, and an earthy note to the blackberry and cassis fruit. This superb Shiraz is a decent value. It should drink well for 10-12 years.

2000 Two Hands McLaren Vale Shiraz - 90 points
The dense ruby/purple-colored 2000 Shiraz McLaren Vale offers a sweet perfume of black currants, cassis, smoke, and licorice. Deep and viscous, with lush, supple tannin, it should be consumed over the next 6-8 years

2002 Two Hands Riesling 'The Wolf' - 88 points
The 2002 Riesling The Wolf exhibits excellent ripe peach and floral characteristics with hints of grapefruit and citrus in the background. Medium-bodied, dry, and ripe, it is a delicious, well-flavored Australian Riesling to enjoy over the next 1-2 years.